News

5 shops destroyed as fire guts timber market in Enugu

Published

1 month ago

June 5, 2024

At least five shops were destroyed on Tuesday as fire gutted a timber market in Kenyatta Street, Uwani, Enugu State.

At the scene of the incident, prompt response by the state Fire Service quenched the fire from spreading to other parts of the plywood market.

A firefighter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said the service received a distress call around 9.45 pm that the market was on fire and it immediately swung into action and quenched the fire before it spread to other parts of the market.

“As you can see, only about five shops were affected by the fire in this big market. I cannot say much on this incident as I am not the chief fire officer,” the fireman said.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness who identified himself as Joe, said that he noticed the fire immediately after the suspension of the nationwide industrial strike by the labour unions in the country.

According to him, some neighbours in the area rushed to the market and within a few minutes, the fire service arrived and quenched the fire.

He said, “I thank God and the fire service for the quick response, otherwise, it would have been disastrous.”

The incident occurred hours after 3 people died following a tanker that exploded in the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover along the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The incident involved a tanker carrying what is believed to be carrying Liquefied Natural Gas which fell over, crushed a vehicle and exploded while trying to navigate the roundabout.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko who confirmed the development, said the victims were burnt beyond recognition when the tanker fell on the vehicle they were commuting in.

“Yes I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police are on the ground as I speak to you,” she said.